More and more networks are eschewing traditional viewership reporting in favor of new methods that also account for DVR and On-VOD viewers. L7 (Live Plus 7) and C7* ratings include viewers watching via DVR or On Demand views within 7 days after the episode's initial air date. The new method for tabulating how many American homes are actually watching a television program is exactly what ABC President Paul Lee is watching when looking at the performance of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Agent Carter. Here's what Lee at to say today at the Winter TCA's.
"If you look at the L-3s and the L-7s, this show pops up to a 3, it brings in a male audience and creatively it's really, really strong now. We left a great cliffhanger [for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.] at the end of Christmas and now it's going to come back with some fantastic storylines as we go through. And to have 'Agent Carter' in there in the gap doing sort of double what we were doing last year is great for us."
When asked if ABC feels any pressure by what Marvel is doing with Netflix, and whether the lower than desired ratings having Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on the chopping blocks, Lee gave the first Marvel Studios television program a strong vote of confidence.
"[We feel no pressure at all]. Absolutely none at all, this is really us. We drive this. We have ambitions for Marvel in the future. We love Marvel."
*[C7 is Commercial Plus 7 rating and accounts for the number of commercials watched via DVR and On Demand within 7 days of a show's initial air date.]
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